Mnemonics and Acronyms for Nursing School

Nursing School Study and Memory Tricks

#NurseMonics

Memory Tricks for Nursing Students

Mnemonics and Acronyms

A mnemonic is a concise phrase in which each letter stands for a word. An example of a mnemonic is MONA (morphine, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and aspirin). The word mnemonic originates from the Greek term “memory aid.” Mnemonics can be used as a valuable resource to assist nursing students in the studying process. An acronym is an word or term in which each letter of the phrase is combined into an abbreviation. An example of an acronym is HELLP for HELLP Syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets).

Learning Styles that Benefit

Mnemonic and acronym memory tricks can be helpful to many people, especially students with visual and aural (auditory) learning styles. While taking an exam, visual learners may utilize these techniques by closing their eyes and picturing the image or by visualizing the term in front of them. Aural learners can use memory tricks by verbalizing them out loud to themselves (or by listening to another person speak them), then mentally recalling the experience during an exam. Although they’re traditionally associated with visual and auditory learning, they can also provide value to individuals with other learning styles.
Reading/writing learners can capitalize upon mnemonics and acronyms by…well, reading and writing them. Creating flashcards or composing and regularly reviewing a digital list (eg: Word document) are great ways implementation techniques. Students with a tactile learning style can benefit from mnemonics and acronyms by creating a project such as a scrapbook or another hands-on activity that associates each concept with a kinesthetic element (note: It’s the process of hands-on creation that best serves this type of learner).

*The correct order of MONA interventions is oxygen, nitroglycerin, aspirin, and then morphine. This can be remembered by the mnemonic: ON AM (I am ON fire in the AM as I am a morning person)

Shortness of Breath (SOB) Causes: AAAPPP

Airway obstruction

Angina

Anxiety

Asthma

Pneumonia

Pneumothorax

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary Embolus

Stroke Signs: FAST

Face

Arms

Speech

Time

Tetralogy of Fallot: PROVe

P: pulmonary stenosis (narrowed pulmonary artery)

R: right ventricular hypertrophy (enlarged right ventricle)

O: overriding aorta (malposition of the aorta over both ventricles)

V: ventricular septal defect

e*

*The lowercase “e” is intentionally left blank

Ventricular Arrhythmias Drugs: AL

Amiodorone

Lidocaine

Critical Care

Critical Care Acronyms and Mnemonics

Advanced Life Support: LEAN

Lidocaine

Epinephrine

Atropine

Narcan

Compartment Syndrome Signs and Symptoms: 5 P’s

Pain

Pallor

Pulse declined or absent

Pressure increased

Paresthesia

Emergent Syncope: CRAPS (Like the Vegas Gambling Game)

Cardiac

Ruptured AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm or “triple A”)

Aortic stenosis

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

SAH

Shock Characteristics: HYPO-TACHY-TACHY

Hypotension

Tachycardia (elevated heart rate of 100 bpm or > at rest* in adults)

Tachypnea (elevated respiration rate)

* #NurseHack: The Significance of Tachycardia | Tachycardia is an anticipated finding in an individual who is exerting his or herself; for example, the heart rate can easily reach 160 while working out on cardio equipment at the gym. In a clinical setting, tachycardia is typically used to reference an individual with an elevated pulse while at rest, or not exerting his or herself physically.

Trauma Complications: TRAUMATIC

Altered body image (especially if a body part is amputated or facial deformations are involved)

Thromboembolism

Infection

Crush syndrome and coping problems

Trauma Survey: AMPLE (following initial assessment)

Allergies

Medications

Previous medical history

Last meal

Events surrounding the injury or what happened

Diabetes

Diabetes Acronyms and Mnemonics

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Treatment: KING UFC

K+ (potassium)

Insulin

Nasogastric tube: if the patient is comatose

Glucose: once serum levels drop

Urea: monitoring

Fluids: crystalloids

Creatinine: monitor and catheterize

Exercise Regimen for Patients with Diabetes: FIT

Frequency: 3 times a week

Intervals: 30 minutes a day

Time

Hyperglycemia Versus Hypoglycemia

Hot and dry: sugar high

Cold and clammy: need some candy

Hypoglycemia Causes and Characteristics: RE-EXPLAIN

REnal failure

EXogenous

Pituitary

Liver failure

Alcohol

Infection

Neoplasm

Hypoglycemia Signs: TIRED

Tachycardia

Irritability

Restlessness

Excessive hunger

Depression and diaphoresis

Mixing 2 Types of Insulin in 1 Syringe: Clear, Cloudy, Cloudy, Clear

Clear before cloudy

Cloudy before clear

Diagnostics/Labs

Diagnostic and Lab Value Acronyms and Mnemonics

Acid Base: ROME

Respiratory (acidosis and alkalosis)

Opposite: pH ↓ & CO2 ↑= Acidosis; pH ↑ CO2 ↓= Alkalosis

Metabolic (acidosis and alkalosis)

Equal: pH ↓ & HCO3 ↓= Acidosis; pH ↑ & HCO3 ↑= Alkalosis

Calcium: 8.5-10

Children’s bones grow strong between ages 8 ½ -10

This is a way to remember the normal range of calcium values

CBC (Complete Blood Count) Components: HELPR

H: H/H (Hemoglobin/Hematocrit)

E: Erythrocytes (RBCs)

L: Leukocytes (WBCs)

P: Platelets

R: R/R* (reticulocytes/RBC indices)#

*Unlike H/H (which stands for hemoglobin/hematocrit), R/R is NOT a term typically used to describe reticulocytes/RBC indices…it’s just used for the purpose of this mnemonic. #RBC indices involve components that are used to describe the shape, size, and other characteristics of the RBCs…They’re important for differentiating the type of anemia.

Potassium: 3.5 -5 POTS

Children age 3½ -5 like to play with POTS (example: making mud pies)

This is a way to remember the normal range of potassium values

Lab Values from Lowest to Highest: Miss Piggy & Kermit Came Home on Cloud Nine

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